I can give advice to wine producers around the world, importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers in the UK, and hotels and restaurants in the UK. Due to my extensive experience of most aspects of the wine trade I can tailor services for these different sectors. For wine producers for example I can assist with a targeted approach to finding new distributors by coaching export managers on effective strategies to gain new distribution, tailoring labels and blends for the UK market, Brexit planning and also by directly finding them representation with UK agency houses. Due to COVID I believe there will be more demand for these kind of services in the local market as producers move to subcontract rather than fly export managers around the world at great expense. I will also be offering to represent wineries in English speaking markets for tastings, training and other activities where producers cannot justify the expense of travelling thousands of miles themselves.
For smaller UK importers, distributors and wholesalers I also believe subcontracting wine buying will become increasingly attractive, as well as outsourcing wine and sales training.
For hotels and restaurants emerging from what looks to be a harsh winter of lockdowns, it will be more important than ever to make sure their wine ranges and staff product knowledge levels are fit for purpose. I’m still surprised how many restaurants give all their business to one merchant and also let them devise and print the wine list too, effectively handing control to a supplier. I believe they’re missing a trick and I think on-trade wine sales are suffering in the face of stiff competition from other categories as a result. For this reason I’ll be offering wine list reviews, staff training and other wine related advice to help outlets take back full control of their wine offering.